William Reeves suffers from Morquio Syndrome – a metabolic disorder which mainly affects his growth – and desperately needs medication to help him. Sadly, like so many other cases, the life changing medication the 10-year-old needs, Vimizim an enzyme replacement therapy drug, is not available on the NHS.
But rather than being defeated William’s classmates from St Teresa's Catholic Primary School, in Wokingham, have taken their fight straight to the top and have written a heartbreaking letter to the Prime Minister, David Cameron, to ask for help.
“The campaign has really kicked off. It is important to get as much publicity as possible,” Thelma’s mother said. “The letter by his classmates was a lovely gesture.”
In the letter, the children detail how amazing William is and point out all the things he could do, should he receive the treatment he needs.
They wrote: “Dear Mr Cameron, we are pupils in Year 5 at St. Teresa’s School in Wokingham and we are writing to you as one of our friends in the class is William Reeves.
“William is a confident, funny and caring pupil at our school (in the words of the children he is ‘awesome’!). Unfortunately, William has been affected by Morquio Syndrome. It has come to our attention and concern that there are very few people with Morquio Syndrome, however the life changing drug Vimizin is sadly not available to all.
“We feel very strongly that each and every person should be able to access this medication with this condition. Imagine if William was one of your own children, wouldn’t you like to help?”
In the open letter, they said that if William got the drug he will “be able to join the football team,” “will not have as many operations” and would “not have to miss as much school for hospital appointments”.
They signed off the letter saying: “We don’t want to change William; we just want to make his life easier!”
William hand delivered the letter to 10 Downing Street and is now waiting for a reply.